Title 6. Animals. Sections 6.04 to 6.24.0906.12.020 Leash required for dogs off premises. It is unlawful for the owner of any dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to permit or allow such dog to be away from the premises of its owner at any time if not under actual physical restraint or control, such as a leash, tether, or in the grasp of a person. (Ord. 4490 § 4, 1998: Ord. 3728 § 20, 1986: prior code § 8.05.401: Ord. 1371, 10/29/68; Ord. 1447, 7/25/72; Ord. 2170, 8/19/75)6.12.080 Animal defecation prohibited where. It is unlawful for the owner of any animal to allow or permit such animal to defecate on any public property or improved private property, other than that of the owner. It is the responsibility of the animal’s owner to properly dispose of any solid waste resulting from an act in violation of this section. (Ord. 4490 § 5, 1998: prior code § 8.05.420: Ord. 2170, 8/19/75) 6.12.100Harassment, threat or injury by animals.

It is unlawful for the owner of any dog or animal to suffer or permit the same to annoy and harass, chase, threaten to inflict or inflict injury of any kind on any person. [Ord. 4490 § 6, 1998; Ord. 2170, 1975; prior code § 8.05.410]. County Code is very specific in not allowing dogs off-leash anywhere in the County, at any time. In order to allow off-leash dogs on County beaches, the County would have to amend Section 6.12 to provide for specific exceptions. Such an amendment would provide argument for weakening County Code to allow off-leash dogs to run throughout the County at any time. Organizers for off-leash dogs on beaches are already promoting this as just such a precedent. They are suggesting a general challenge to County off-leash laws. Furthermore, Santa Cruz County beaches are part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and, as such, are under the jurisdiction of state and federal laws with regard to threatened and endangered species and wildlife harassment in United States Marine Sanctuaries.

Chapter 10.04 COUNTY PARKS10.04.100 Dogs and cats.(A) Dogs shall be licensed in accordance with the animal ordinance (Chapter 6.08 SCCC). A person may bring and maintain in any park, exclusive of golf courses, a dog or cat, if such dog or cat is kept on a leash or chain not to exceed six feet in length and under immediate control of its owner or custodian, or upon written permission of the Director when required for authorized park programs, or when dogs are in special areas of parks designated and posted by the Park Director as dog exercise and training areas (dog parks) and so long as the regulations of the Park Director with respect to the use of such areas are followed.(B) Any person owning or having control of any dog or cat which defecates upon property owned or managed by the Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services must immediately remove and dispose of the feces.[Ord. 4666 § 1, 2002; Ord. 4429 § 2, 1996; Ord. 2954, 1980; prior code § 8.60.040(h)].

Santa Cruz County Code, Title 16, Environmental and Resource Protection

Sensitive Habitat. An area is defined as a sensitive habitat if it meets one or more of the following criteria.

(e) Areas which provide habitat for rare or endangered species which meet the definition of Section 15380 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines.

(f) Areas which provide habitat for rare, endangered or threatened species as designated by the State Fish and Game Commission, United States Fish and Wildlife Service or California Native Plant Society.

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCESObjective 5.1 Biological Diversity(LCP) To maintain the biological diversity of the County through an integrated program of open space acquisition and protection, identification and protection of plant habitat and wildlife corridors and habitats, low-intensity and resource compatible land uses in sensitive habitats and mitigations on projects and resource extraction to reduce impacts on plant and animal life.Policies 5.1.1 Sensitive Habitat Designation (LCP) Designate the following areas as sensitive habitats: (a) areas shown on the County General Plan and LCP Resources and Constraints Maps; (b) any undesignated areas which meet the criteria (policy 5.1.2) and which are identified through the biotic review process or other means; and (c) areas of biotic concern as shown on the Resources and Constraints Maps which contain concentrations of rare, endangered, threatened or unique species. 5.1.2 Definition of Sensitive Habitat (LCP) An area is defined as a sensitive habitat if it meets one or more of the following criteria:(e) Areas which provide habitat for rare or endangered species which meet the definition of Section 15380 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines. (f) Areas which provide habitat for rare, endangered or threatened species as designated by the State Fish and Game Commission, United States Fish and Wildlife Service or California Native Plant Society. 5.1.6 Development Within Sensitive Habitats (LCP) Sensitive habitats shall be protected against any significant disruption of habitat values; and any proposed development within or adjacent to these areas must maintain or enhance the functional capacity of the habitat. Reduce in scale, redesign, or, if no other alternative exists, deny any project which cannot sufficiently mitigate significant adverse impacts on sensitive habitats unless approval of a project is legally necessary to allow a reasonable use of the land.5.1.7 Site Design and Use Regulations (LCP) Protect sensitive habitats against any significant disruption or degradation of habitat values in accordance with the Sensitive Habitat Protection ordinance. Utilize the following site design and use regulations on parcels containing these resources, excluding existing agricultural operations:(d) Prohibit domestic animals where they threaten sensitive habitats. 5.1.10 Species Protection (LCP) Recognize that habitat protection is only one aspect of maintaining biodiversity and that certain wildlife species, such as migratory birds, may not utilize specific habitats. Require protection of of these individual rare, endangered and threatened species and continue to update policies as new information becomes available.Objective 5.3 Aquatic and Marine Habitats (LCP) To identify, preserve and restore aquatic and marine habitats; to maximize scientific research and education which emphasizes comprehensive and coordinated management consistent with the mission of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary; and to facilitate multiple use and recreation opportunities compatible with resource protection.Policies5.3.1 Support the Monterey Bay Sanctuary (LCP) Support the mission of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to facilitate long-term management, protection, understanding and awareness of its resources and qualities.5.3.2 Protecting Shorebird Nesting Sites (LCP) Discourage all activities within 100 feet of shorebird nesting sites during nesting season (March-July). Prohibit dogs from beaches having nesting sites.Programs(LCP) f. Enforce leash laws to the fullest extent possible. (Responsibility: Board of Supervisors, law enforcement agencies.)

§ 4312. Control of Animals.(a) No person shall permit a dog to run loose, or turn loose any animal in any portion of a unit, except upon written authorization by the District Superintendent.

(b) No person shall keep an animal in any unit except under his/her immediate control.

(c) No person shall keep a noisy, vicious, or dangerous dog or animal or one which is disturbing to other persons, in any unit and remain therein after he/she has been asked by a peace officer to leave.

(e) No person shall bring a dog into, permit a dog to enter or remain, or possess a dog in units under control of Department of Parks and Recreation unless the dog is on leash of no more than six feet in length and under the immediate control of a person or confined in a vehicle.

(f) No person shall bring a dog into, permit a dog to enter or remain, or possess a dog: 1) beyond the limits of campgrounds, picnic areas, parking areas, roads, structures or in posted portions of units except as provided elsewhere in this section. 2) on any beach adjacent to any body of water in any unit except in portions of units designated for dogs.(h) Subsections e) and f) shall not apply to trained "seeing eye," "signal," or "service" dogs used to guide a physically impaired person there present, or dogs that are being trained to become "seeing eye," "signal," or "service" dogs.

"Development" means, on land, in or under water, the placement or erection of any solid material or structure; discharge or disposal of any dredged material or of any gaseous, liquid, solid, or thermal waste; grading, removing, dredging, mining, or extraction of any materials; change in the density or intensity of use of land, including, but not limited to, subdivision pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act (commencing with Section 66410 of the Government Code), and any other division of land, including lot splits, except where the land division is brought about in connection with the purchase of such land by a public agency for public recreational use; change in the intensity of use of water, or of access thereto; construction, reconstruction, demolition, or alteration of the size of any structure, including any facility of any private, public, or municipal utility; and the removal or harvesting of major vegetation other than for agricultural purposes, kelp harvesting, and timber operations which are in accordance with a timber harvesting plan submitted pursuant to the provisions of the Z'berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 (commencing with Section 4511).

Take or taking means: (1) For any marine mammal, sea turtle, or seabird listed as either endangered or threatened pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect or injure, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct; (2) For any other marine mammal, sea turtle, or seabird, to harass, hunt, capture, kill, collect or injure, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct. For the purposes of both (1) and (2) of this definition, this includes, but is not limited to, to collect any dead or injured marine mammal, sea turtle or seabird, or any part thereof; to restrain or detain any marine mammal, sea turtle or seabird, or any part thereof, no matter how temporarily; to tag any sea turtle, marine mammal or seabird; to operate a vessel or aircraft or to do any other act that results in the disturbance or molestation of any marine mammal, sea turtle or seabird.